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Corneal higher-order wavefront aberrations do not influence subjective quality of vision after SMILE
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First Author: J.Siedlecki GERMANY
Co Author(s): V. Schmelter B. Schworm W. Mayer S. Priglinger M. Dirisamer N. Luft
Abstract Details
Purpose:
To analyze the association between objectively measured corneal higher order aberrations (HOAs) and subjectively perceived visual quality after SMILE as quantified with the standardized and clinically validated Quality of Vision (QOV) questionnaire.
Setting:
University Eye Clinic Munich, LMU, Germany; SMILE Eyes Linz, Austria
Methods:
This cross-sectional study included patients after bilateral simultaneous SMILE for the treatment of myopia and/or myopic astigmatism with plano target refraction. Scheimpflug imaging (Pentacam HR; Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany) was used to objectively quantify corneal HOAs. The standardized and validated Quality of Vision (QOV) questionnaire was employed to gauge patients’ subjectively perceived visual quality regarding frequency, severity and bothering effect of visual disturbances.
Results:
A total of 394 eyes of 197 patients with a mean age of 32.4±7.7 years and a mean postoperative follow-up of 24.3±14.1 months were included. SMILE induced a statistically significant (p=0.001) increase in spherical aberration (0.074±0.131µm), coma (0.142±0.179µm), trefoil (0.018±0.067µm) as well as in total HOA (0.191±0.176µm). Surgically induced and postoperative levels of HOA showed no correlation with the three QOV scores representative of overall visual symptom frequency, severity and bothering effect (all R2 values ≤0.016). In addition, the associations between specific visual symptoms (e.g. starburst) and singular HOA terms (e.g. haloes) were very weak (all Rho values ≤0.164).
Conclusions:
Although SMILE induced a significant amount of corneal HOAs, there was no impact of HOAs on patient-reported quality of vision or specific long-term visual symptoms.
Financial Disclosure:
... gains financially from product or procedure presented, ... receives consulting fees, retainer, or contract payments from a competing company
